Jazz at Five features ambitious 2012 lineup

This year's Jazz at Five series gets off to a prestigious start and follows through. It kicks off on Wednesday, August 8, with Charles McPherson, a sax player whose six decades in jazz have included work alongside Charles Mingus and Eric Dolphy.

The next four Wednesdays at the top of State Street will boast Madison Jazz Orchestra and the Lynette Margulies/Jane Reynolds Quartet (Aug. 15); MadiSalsa and Alison Margaret (Aug. 22); a gypsy-swing quintet featuring former Elton John touring-band member John Jorgenson (Aug. 29); and Grammy winner Cheryl Bentyne with fellow vocalist Mark Winkler (Sept. 5).